WJA Warns Members About Alleged Credit Card Theft

An employee has been arrested for allegedly misusing credit card information

A former Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) employee has been terminated and arrested for allegedly misusing credit card info provided to the group.

The credit card information suspected to have been misused came in via written membership forms, via telephone, and at New York City events where the employee worked the sign-in desk, the group says. There does not appear to be an issue with credit cards entered into its website.

“We believe that in a number of instances, [the employee] charged credit cards for payments that the credit card owners intended to be made to the WJA (or, in the case of donations, to the foundation) and diverted the funds so they were not received by the WJA,” said an email from the organization. “We also believe that [she] may have charged credit cards for payments that falsely appear on credit card statements to be in the purported name of other companies, including names of companies that may be familiar to you, that were not intended charges by the credit card owner. We believe she may have started this activity in or around March 2016.”

The organization advises members to check their statements for:

– Charges that appear to be in the name of the WJA that you did not initiate.

– Incorrect charges that appear to be in the names of companies that may be familiar to you.

– Charges generated through Square Inc.

If any issues are found, dispute the charges with your credit company, the group advises.

It also recommends members look at this document on protecting personal information and contact executive director Bernadette Mack with any questions.

WJA says it is working with law enforcement and major credit card suppliers to address the incident. It asks anyone with information on this incident to contact the association.